Shepherd’s Pie: A Comfort Food the World Over

After eating this casserole in Bermuda and Ireland, I finally made it at home

Hamilton Bermuda, where we at Shepard’s Pie at the Hog Penney Pub. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2017.

In 2017, my husband and I went to Bermuda for our 30th wedding anniversary. It was our third trip to this small country filled with gentile people and surrounded by beautiful turquoise water. We had gone there on our honeymoon. We also took our boys there in early 2007.

We were never as adventurous with eating there until that 2017 visit. Part of it was the cost. Nearly everything in Bermuda has to be imported, so things are expensive. On our honeymoon we had a meal plan at the resort we stayed in. When we went with our boys — well, they were young and food was pricey, so we ate at poolside and a few pubs while traveling the island.

In 2017, however, my husband and I ate at a variety of places. One was the Hog Penny Pub in Hamilton, Bermuda. The Hog Penny Pub has been a culinary staple in Bermuda for over sixty years. It is a traditional English-style pub — small and dark, with lots of locals, laughter, and of course, a mirrored bar area.

My husband had the Cottage Pie, which is similar but not exactly the same as Shepherd’s Pie. Cottage Pie has ground beef, whereas Shepherd’s Pie has ground lamb. He said it was delicious. It is cited as comfort food on their…